People

Gala Day1439 viewsA piper leads the fancy dress procession at the Kirkmichael Gala Day on August 14 1993.

Lady Helen Colquhoun930 viewsWife of Sir James Colquhoun of Luss, who founded Helensburgh in 1777 and named it after her. It is not known which artist painted her portrait, of which this is a mono copy. She was the daughter of William, Lord Strathnaver, son and heir apparent of John, 19th Earl of Sutherland.

The Trial of Madeleine Smith1458 viewsONE of the great tales of Scottish Law is the trial of Madeleine Smith for murder after a love affair which mostly took place in Rhu.
Madeleine was tried for the murder of her lover, Pierre Emile L’Angelier, at the High Court in Edinburgh. The trial began on June 30 1857, and finished on July 9. The case was found not proven, a unique Scottish verdict.

NOT Madeleine Smith and her family1514 viewsThis picture appears in several books and is claimed to be Madeleine Smith who was tried in 1857 for the murder of her lover, Pierre Emile L’Angelier, and her family. However experts have concluded that, while it is an image of a Victorian family, it is definitely not the Smith family.

Diamond Wedding 19021190 viewsA family group at the diamond wedding party of Helensburgh man J.W.McCulloch, who set up the family painting and decorating business in Helensburgh in 1846 after losing his money in the Gold Rush, and his wife. Venue unknown. Image supplied by his great grandson, Iain McCulloch.

Rhu wedding688 viewsAlice McDougall kindly supplied this picture of the wedding of her parents, Mr and Mrs Alexander Rankin Gold, in Rhu on July 16 1936. They were married from Armadale House in Rhu where her mother, Flora MacKinnon, worked for Colonel Kenneth Barge as a cook and where this picture was taken. Alice says: "Lydia Barge is the older girl seated in front of my father. My grandparents from Brechin are beside my father. My grandfather from Skye ibeside my mother. Beside him is Auntie Lottie an her husband John Cree who lived in Craigendoran, and their daughter is the other little girl. She had a shop at the east end of Helensburgh at one time I believe. Behind John Cree is Colonel Barge and behind his right shoulder is, I believe Nigel Barge."

Mystery group1407 viewsNo details are known about this picture, which was handed in to the Helensburgh Advertiser after it had been found in the street. It might be from a nursery or a children's home, perhaps in the 1950s or 60s.

Helensburgh's Last Provost1432 viewsThe late Norman Glen CBE, the burgh's last Provost, plants a tree in Hermitage Park in November 2001, assisted by his daughters, Mrs Mary Pat Smith and Mrs Nancy Jackson. It replaced one he originally planted to mark the end of his term of office as Provost in 1975. The occasion helped to mark the launch of Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust, formed by people anxious to preserve the burgh's treescape.

1920s bride971 viewsA posed photograph by Brown & Son of Helensburgh of a local bride in the 1920s. Any information would be welcomed.

Old burgh wedding964 viewsA 1920s Helensburgh wedding photography by W.D.Brown & Co. of West Bay Studio, Helensburgh. Any information about the people in the picture would be welcomed.

Miss Farmgirl UK1111 viewsHelensburgh girl Patricia Evans, who worked in the Town Clerk's office, was chosen as Miss Farmgirl UK at the final held in London's Washington Hotel in December 1966. She also won the Miss Dunbartonshire title and was a finalist in the Miss Scotland competition.

Pioneer of flight Percy Pilcher926 viewsFlight pioneer Percy, who lived in Glasgow, made his early glider flights at Auchensail or Wallacetown Farms in Cardross in the early 1890s.